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Body Blitz

Body Blitz is one of few places in Toronto where you can walk in, get nekked, and not be arrested. Spa services are offered, but the highlight is the clothing-optional water circuit. A structured/ regimented series of dips and steams and sweats to improve your health (salt pool to steam to cold pool to sauna etc). There are absolutely health shirkers who just order a drink from the juice bar and spend all their time in the salt pool. The cold dip is skipped by almost everyone without Scandinavian heritage.

MY TREATMENT: THERAPEUTIC WATERS CIRCUIT

Short of your living room with the blinds closed, there aren't many places in Toronto where you're encouraged to be nude nude all nude. By putting "optional" beside "bathing suit" Body Blitz Spa took a bit more of the puritan out of Toronto. And to that I say "Amen".

Body Blitz Spa is on the pricier side of Toronto's spas (in the Stillwater range), but like Stillwater, it offers a cheaper gateway deal -- full use of their Therapeutic Waters Circuit for $38 on Tuesdays. Personally, I haven't rolled enough pennies to get into the harder stuff, but the water circuit is definitely a repeatable indulgence.

This is the official guide to the Therapeutic Waters Circuit. Got it? Right, so, no one does that. Okay, some people do, but there's a loooot of cheating in the Waters Circuit. There are many patrons putting the "stationary" into "circuit".

A poster of the circuit hangs in the main pool area near a large clock, and personal laminated copies are provided along with your robe and flip flops. (Nothing makes you feel so naked as being naked in flip-flops). But there are no pool monitors clocking you or shepherding you around. So many people just pull up a corner of the Sea Salt pool and settle in, broken up by occasional trips to the eucalyptus sauna.

I loves me some rule-breaking, but in this case, I think they're just missing out. If you're going to go to Body Blitz, take advantage of what it's offering: go full enchilada -- birthday over bathing suit, and at least try the prescribed circuit.

Only the very brave or the very Swedish seem to use the cold pool. Many young things get two-toes in, squeal, and head back to the amniotic safety of the sea salt. But, like putting on your boots after skating, it's all about the mix of pleasure and pain. After the recommended 1 minute in the Cold Plunge ("one-*chatter*-steamboat, two-*chatter*-steamboat") everything feels that much more deserved and relaxing. That good ol' steep in the Hot Tea pool is earned. Oh yeaaaah.

OPEN SINCE

November 2005

PRICE POINTS

Body Blitz waters circuit, single visit Wed-Mon: $48

Shiatzu massage: $135 | 60 min

Body wash and body scrub: $90 | 25 min

SIGNATURE TREATMENT

"Our signature treatment would have to be our blitz scrub. This is a 60 min scrub during which the skin is thoroughly washed and scrubbed with our body wash and scrub mitt. One of our scrubs from the scrub bar is massaged onto your body as every last bit of your skin is exfoliated. Once your body is rinsed and dried, our mint ~ lime body lotion is massaged onto your skin for a tip-to-toe application with special focus on those tired feet and overworked hands."

SPECIAL SERVICES

"The concept of body blitz is based around our therapeutic waters circuit. We have a Dead Sea salt pool (at body temperature), a green tea pool, a cold plunge pool, infrared sauna and eucalyptus steam room. Clients are able to elevate the temperature of their bodies to allow for the release of toxins and heavy metals. This waters circuit can be accessed on its own or is inclusive with any of our body treatment or massage."

FEATURED PRODUCT LINES

"At Body Blitz we have developed our own line of face and skincare products. These products are free of dyes, animal by-products, contain no artificial fragrance, are not tested on animals and are 100% Canadian made. We have worked with the best producers from across the country to offer our clients a limited but well thought out range of products. We have recently launched our argan oil face serum which has the remarkable anti-aging properties."

PACKAGES & DISCOUNTS

$38 Tuesday, this provides clients with full access to the therapeutic waters circuit at a discounted rate.

Discussion

12 Comments

I went here recently to de-stress from exams and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I found this review to be cheeky and inaccurate. Most people do take advantage of the full circuit, the cold pool is to be used more than once and it gets better each time you do it, and the writer clearly skipped the sauna and steam room, two integral parts of the experience.

Also, there is no mention of the complimentary services, which includes free shampoo, conditioners, and body wash in the showers, blow dryers, brushes, and hair products in the vanity room, and the fact that the staff is constantly bustling about to keep the place going.

There drinks are expensive, there are a few food options, and it is possible to buy the spa's own products.

I agree with Rachel. I've been there about 10+ times now and have observed that most people do the circuit (including the cold plunge). Sure, we tend to hang out in different areas for longer. Also, a big selling point for me is the fact that they have complimentary shampoo, towels, the vanity room. I love body blitz.

David, I have no interest in the spa besides that I needed a way to relax from studying. I'm a student (as I mentioned that I need to de-stress from exams) but I am also someone who relies on BlogTO for accurate reviews, which unfortunately this isn't. She blatantly copied and pasted information from the website, too. This isn't quality research or writing.

I would be more than happy to have an interest in writing a review for BlogTO if they'd like to pay me.

As for recent, I went on Tuesday because I, like the writer, took advantage of that $38 deal.

I agree with the first commenter about the cold plunge: It gets easier each time. The fist time we went in, it was torture to stay in for one minute. By the third plunge it didn't seem bad at all and we could have stayed in much longer.

I've been going to BodyBlitz since it opened and love it. I fractured my shoulder last year and it was the perfect place to go...wish there were more places like this. I used to go and have their treatments, but recently, have just gone for the waters...best place in the city during the winter!!!

Definately a girls' day out place to socialize. It is usually very noisy. Staff are rude. Rules there don't make perfect sense. For example, everyone is to tye their hair back (for sanitary reasons they say) meanwhile women are dunking their tied back hair in the water, not sitting on towels when they aren't wearing panties, etc.. People are social chatting with each other but you are only permitted to use cell phone in lobby (not even the changeroom for texting while phone silent). The place feels like high school.

I used a gift certificate the last time I went and therefore they refused to provide me with a tax receipt.

I received an hour and a half massage. I started to fall asleep and realized that the attendant stopped massaging me. she just stood there over top of me! I waited about 5 minutes before opening my eyes. She continued to do this another two times as I dozed off. She also cut the massage ten minutes early and started five minutes late.

This is the last time I will go their solo but I may return with a group in the future for the circuit would be more enjoyable while socializing.

I completely agree with you, I was totally unimpressed with the level of service that they provided. The front desk staff was quite rude, and it wasn't a relaxing environment at all.
The pool area was incredibly noisy and was much more of a social area. I'd recommend this place only if you were going with a group of gf's for the afternoon. For a relaxing quiet area for yourself, it is NOT.

Went to body bliss for the first time. Had an amazing and relaxing experience. Had a 30 minute massage (which is covered by my work benefits). And therefore was able to use the theraputic waters for free. I will admit the massage was overpriced, but still divine. I loved how there was no rule as to how much or little clothing was required. It was not uncomfortable to be around the women who decided to go bare nor was it frowned upon if you decided to wear a suit. I opted for topless only and felt very comfortable. My favorite was the eucalyptus steam room followed by the cold plunge. Also loved the lime/mint body wash supplied for showering. I am tryin to think of a million reasons to go back. Birthdays, mothers day, Christmas, anniversary etc.

I have been a member of Body Blitz for several years now and there is a reason for my loyalty. The staff are an amazing bunch of ladies, the experience is incredible and it is a great de-stresser after a long work week. On Mother's Day 2011 a driver going 120 rearended our stopped (in traffic) vehicle on the QEW and I was left unable to walk due to an ankle injury. My job requires that I stand all day and Body Blitz help speed my recovery and relax my neck and back from whiplash. I am a very thankful patron of Body Blitz and my advice is, it's not for everyone and that's OK cus it just means more space for those who appreciate it. Thanks especially to all the hardworking gals who help make Body Blitz the amazing place it is!